MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis 901 FC advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 with a 2-0 win over Miami United F.C.
901 FC's two goals came off the boot of 19-year-old forward Nighte Pickering. The brace means Pickering has scored three goals in three U.S. Open Cup appearances.
"We really needed a win today especially in the cup," Pickering said. You see an MPSL team coming here and you can think it's going to be an easy write off but it's going to be their World Cup final so it's always going to be a tough game they're going to be playing with a different type of intensity and fire."
"We were looking for a confidence booster tonight we knew it would be difficult playing against a team that doesn't lose many games, tough to play against with good and experienced players," Head Coach Stephen Glass said. It's a welcome win, the players worked ever so hard to gain it so we're delighted."
In the 34th minute, Emerson Hyndman put a cross in for Pickering which saw him find open space to be one-on-one with the Miami United keeper and from there Pickering slotted it into the back of the net.
In the 85th minute it would once again be Pickering notching a goal. This time it came off a Dylan Borczak break down the right wing before passing it across to Pickering who just had to tap it in.
It marks the first win for 901 FC since March 9, after four straight losses in the regular season of the USL.
"It's a big relief because in these last four games we've played well in them but we've just made little mistakes and little lapses of focus that cut us off from our game and gave up some bad results," Pickering said. "A win today hopefully we get back on track and get our minds together because I think we're a really good team at the end of the day."
901 FC will learn its next Open Cup assignment on Thursday at noon during a live drawing for the Round of 32 on U.S. Soccer's YouTube page.
Memphis 901 FC will also be back at AutoZone Park on Saturday to continue the regular season with a clash against Monterey Bay FC. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. CT and the first 500 fans will receive a free 901 FC Coach’s Visor.